The Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) has commended the Mission to Seafarers (MTS), an international welfare charity organisation for its support to merchant crews around the world.
STOAN Chairman, Vicky Haastrup, gave the commendation when it hosted a delegation from the MTS international headquarters.
In a statement in Lagos on Monday, Haastrup assured the MTS delegation of the terminal operators’ support in the fulfilment of its mission.
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“The work of seafarers is a noble one. Without seafarers, there is no ship and without ships, there are no ports. Seafarers work for all of us.
“They are on the ship for months at a stretch without going home to their families and loved ones. Terminal operators will always support the MTS in their effort to support seafarers.
“We commend the Mission to Seafarers for all that you are doing for them. You deserve our support,” Haastrup said.
She commended MTS for supporting seafarers through many of their challenges, which she listed as including fatigue, facilitating communication, during ship abandonment, mental health challenges and ship robbery.
Other challenges, according to the STOAN chairman, are piracy attacks, shipwrecks and injury.
Haastrup said, “The work of seafarers are enormous and commendable. You can count on our support.”
She assured the visiting MTS team that all other terminal operators would be mobilised to render assistance, grant access and support to the charity organisation.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, ENL Consortium, Mark Walsh, said that over the years, the terminal had been supportive of the activities of MTS Lagos in its area of operation at the port.
He said ENL would continue to support the cause of MTS by exploring ways of removing barriers on the paths of visiting seafarers who wished to interact with the MTS personnel for necessary care and support.
The Executive Director, Port and Cargo Handling Services, Captain Ibraheem Olugbade, who also attended the meeting, reassured the MTS of its full support in the discharge of its duties.
Other terminal operators also commended MTS for its selfless service to seafarers and assured the team of their support.
Speaking earlier, the Regional Director, MTS African Region, Rev’d Cedric Rautenbach, said the purpose of the visit was to discuss issues relating to the charity organisation’s activities, and how seaport terminal operators could further assist in fulfilling its mission.
He said terminal operators were essential to the services rendered to seafarers on board ships visiting Nigeria.
Rautenbach assured that the MTS operated on sound principles, and worked closely with government agencies and terminal operators to cater to the needs of seafarers across the world.
“We want to work with everyone, and we will comply with the regulations.
“Set up in the United Kingdom in 1856, the Mission to Seafarers is a Christian welfare charity organisation offering support to merchant crews around the world.
“It offers emotional and spiritual support to seafarers through ship visits, drop-in centres and a range of welfare and emergency support services,” Rautenbach said.
The delegation led by Rautenbach included the Chaplain of MTS Lagos, Rev’d Canon Bimbo Aduroja and the Assistant Chaplain of MTS Lagos, Rev’d Emmanuel Ilori.
